Basics
Fragments
Comma Splices
Run-ons
Combination
100
Definition: Phrases or clauses that look like complete sentences, but either they lack subject or verbs or they are subordinate conjunctions.
What is a fragment?
100
Rainbows can be observed only in the morning or late afternoon. When the sun is less than forty degrees above the horizon. (Where is the fragment? How do you fix it?)
Fragment: When the sun is less than forty degrees about the horizon. Replace the period with a comma to join the subordinate clause to the main clause.
100
The report is highly critical of the news media, it has received little press coverage. (How would you rewrite this?) Hint: Fanboys
The report is highly critical of the news media, so it has received little press coverage.
100
We hoped for a compromise we got nothing. (How would you rewrite this?)
We hoped for a compromise. We got nothing.
100
Reporters today have no choice they must use computers. What is this?
What is a run-on?
200
Fragment: Fits perfectly! (What is this statement lacking?)
What is a subject?
200
Dr. Anderson resigned her professorship. The Herman Chair of Psychology. (Where is the fragment? How do you fix it?)
Fragment: The Herman Chair of Psychology. Replace the period with a comma to join the appositive to the main clause.
200
Shawn is an outstanding reporter, he has no formal training in journalism. (How would you rewrite this?) Hint: Fanboys
Shawn is an outstanding reporter, but he has no formal training in journalism.
200
Emily's entire life revolves around political problems she can speak of little else. (How would you rewrite this?) Hint: ;
Emily's entire life revolves around political problems; she can speak of little else.
200
I was sitting on a log bridge, the sun sank low in the sky. What is this?
What is a comma splice?
300
Definition: The joining of two independent clauses with a comma only.
What is a comma splice?
300
I need to find a new roommate. Because the one I have now isn't working out too well. (Where is the fragment? How would you fix it?)
Fragment: Because the one I have now isn't working out too well. Delete the period to form a complete sentence.
300
When David detailed his Mustang, every brush, sponge, and swab was arranged in one neat row, he laid out each towel, cloth, and duster in another. (How would you rewrite this?) Hint: ;
When David detailed his Mustang, every brush, sponge, and swab was arranged in one neat row; he laid out each towel, cloth, and duster in another.
300
Politicians fear reforming social security someday they will scramble to prevent its bankruptcy. (How would you rewrite this?)
Politicians fear reforming social security. Someday they will scramble to prevent its bankruptcy.
300
Which is the widest street in the city. Is this a subordinate clause or relative clause?
Relative
400
Fragment: Once Ashley coughed loudly. (What is this?)
What is a subordinate clause?
400
To break a story. That was the reporter's goal. (What is the fragment and how would you rewrite it?)
Fragment: To break a story. To break a story was the reporter's goal. The reporter's goal was to break a story.
400
David polished a square inch of his car at a time, by the end of the day he had finished the hood and one fender. (How would you fix this?)
Replace the comma with a period. David polished a square inch of his car at a time. By the end of the day he had finished the hood and one fender.
400
Poisonous giant toads were introduced to Australia in the 1930s to control beetles they have since become a hassle. (How would you rewrite this?) Hint: Fanboys
Poisonous giant toads were introduced to Australia in the 1930s to control beetles, but they have since become a hassle.
400
Frowning all the while. What is this?
What is a fragment?
500
Definition: When there is no punctuation at all to separate two independent clauses.
What is a run-on?
500
David cleaned his glasses. Absentmindedly. With the hem of his sweater. (Where are the fragments? How would you rewrite this sentence?)
Fragments: Absentmindedly. With the hem of his sweater. Absentmindedly, David cleaned his glasses with the hem of his sweater.
500
His progress was slow because he did every step by hand, it was satisfying work. (How would you rewrite this?) Hint: Fanboys
His progress was slow because he did every step by hand, but it was satisfying work.
500
Albert had to finish the financial report by himself his irresponsible co-author had lost interest in the cause. Hint: Eliminate the comma splice by subordinating one of the independent clauses.
Albert had to finish the financial report by himself because his irresponsible co-author had lost interest in the cause.
500
The climbers had two choices. To go over a four-hundred-foot cliff or to turn back. They decided to make the attempt. (What is the fragment? How would you rewrite it?)
Fragment: To go over a four-hundred-foot cliff or to turn back. The climbers had two choices: to go over a four-hundred-foot cliff or to turn back. They decided to make the attempt.
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